Quick coupling device

Abstract

A quick coupling device adapted for mounting a tool to a boom of a carrier includes a coupling structure defining at least one notch and a cam assembly. The cam assembly includes a channel having an open end and a seating wall. The cam assembly is rotatable between an open position and a closed position to facilitate installation, locking and release of the tool from the boom. To lock the tool to the boom, the cam assembly is rotated until the seating wall engages a tool mounting pin received in the channel to effect a firm gripping of the pins.

We claim: 
     
       1. A quick coupling device for attaching a tool having a pair of mounting pins to a boom of a carrier, said quick coupling device comprising: means for attaching said quick coupling device to a boom of a carrier;   a first coupling structure including a first notch having a first seating wall, said notch being adapted to releasably receive and seat therein a first of the tool mounting pins;   a second coupling structure including a second notch adapted to receive therein a second of the tool mounting pins;   a coupling member rotatably mounted for movement about an axis between an open position and a locked position, said coupling member including a channel having a non-radial configuration with respect to said axis, said channel further having an open end and a second seating wall,   in said open position of said coupling member said open end of said channel is aligned with said second notch for receiving therein the second tool mounting pin,   in said locked position of said coupling member said open end of said channel is displaced from said second notch to at least substantially close said second notch and thereby retain the second tool mounting pin in said second notch, said second tool mounting pin is positioned against said second seating wall such that the center of said second tool mounting pin is offset from said axis, and said tool mounting pins are firmly gripped by said first and second seating walls, said coupling device having the capacity to effect firm gripping of pairs of tool mounting pins having different spacings therebetween.   
     
     
       2. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 1 further including means for rotating said coupling member between said open and locked positions. 
     
     
       3. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said rotating means has the capacity to rotate said coupling member to an infinite number of locked positions to accommodate differences in the spacing between tool mounting pins. 
     
     
       4. A quick coupling assembly in accordance with claim 2 further including means for periodically tightening said coupling member against the second tool mounting pin received in said channel. 
     
     
       5. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 1 in which said coupling member includes a finger along one side of said channel, wherein said finger has a tapered free end to ensure that said finger is received around the second tool mounting pin when said coupling member is rotated to said locked position. 
     
     
       6. A quick coupling device for attaching a tool having a pair of mounting pins to a boom of a carrier, said quick coupling device comprising: means for attaching said quick coupling device to a boom of a carrier;   a first coupling structure including a first notch having a first seating wall, said notch being adapted to releasably receive and seat therein a first of the tool mounting pins;   a second coupling structure including a second notch adapted to receive therein a second of the tool mounting pins;   a coupling member rotatably mounted for movement about an axis between an open position and a locked position, said coupling member including a channel having an open end and a second seating wall, said open end of said channel being aligned with said second notch when said coupling member is in said open position for receiving therein the second tool mounting pin, said open end of said channel being displaced from said second notch when said coupling member is moved to said locked position to at least substantially close said second notch and thereby retain the second tool mounting pin in said second notch, and said second seating wall being moved into engagement with the second tool mounting pin when said coupling member is rotated to said locked position so that said tool mounting pins are firmly gripped by said first and second seating walls; and   means for rotating said coupling member between said open and locked positions including a cooperating worm and worm gear assembly.   
     
     
       7. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said rotating means further includes a hydraulic motor to rotate said worm. 
     
     
       8. A quick coupling device for attaching a tool having a pair of mounting pins to a boom of a carrier, said quick coupling device comprising: means for attaching said quick coupling device to a boom of a carrier;   a first coupling structure including a first notch having a first seating wall, said notch being adapted to releasably receive and seat therein a first of the tool mounting pins;   a second coupling structure including a second notch adapted to receive therein a second of the tool mounting pins; and   a coupling member rotatably mounted for movement about an axis between an open position and a locked position, said coupling member including a channel having an open end and a second seating wall, said channel being shaped to have a first slot portion for receiving the second tool mounting pin and a second slot portion for locking the second tool mounting pin in said second notch, said open end of said channel being aligned with said second notch when said coupling member is in said open position for receiving therein the second tool mounting pin, said open end of said channel being displaced from said second notch when said coupling member is moved to said locked position to at least substantially close said second notch and thereby retain the second tool mounting pin in said second notch, and said second seating wall being moved into engagement with the second tool mounting pin when said coupling member is rotated to said locked position so that said tool mounting pins are firmly gripped by said first and second seating walls.   
     
     
       9. A quick coupling device for releasably attaching a tool having a pair of tool mounting pins to a boom of a carrier, said quick coupling device comprising: an assembly adapted to attach said quick coupling device to a boom of a carrier;   a coupling structure including a notch having a first seating wall for receiving therein and seating a first of the tool mounting pins; and   a coupling member mounted for rotation about an axis between an open position and a locked position, said coupling member including a channel having an open end and a second seating wall, said channel at least adjacent said second seating wall having a non-radial configuration with respect to said axis,   in said open position said coupling member is adapted to receive a second of the tool mounting pins in said open end of said channel,   in said locked position said open end of said channel is displaced from said second tool mounting pin, said second tool mounting pin is engaged against said second seating wall such that the center of the second tool mounting pin is offset from said axis, and said tool mounting pins are firmly engaged and locked by said first and second seating walls, said coupling device having the capacity to effect firm gripping of pairs of tool mounting pins having different spacings therebetween.   
     
     
       10. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 9 further including a second coupling structure having a second notch, said second notch being open concurrently with an open end in said channel when said coupling member is in said open position so that the second tool mounting pin is received concurrently in said channel and said second notch, and said second notch being closed by said coupling member when said coupling member is rotated to said locked position to thereby retain the second tool mounting pin in said second notch. 
     
     
       11. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 9 further including a drive assembly for rotating said coupling member between said open and locked positions. 
     
     
       12. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 11 wherein said drive assembly has the capacity to rotate said coupling member to an infinite number of locked positions to accommodate differences in the spacing between tool mounting pins. 
     
     
       13. A quick coupling assembly in accordance with claim 11 further including means for periodically tightening said coupling member against the second tool mounting pin received in said channel. 
     
     
       14. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 9 in which said channel in said coupling member is shaped to have a first slot portion for receiving the second tool mounting pin and a second slot portion for locking the second tool mounting pin in said channel. 
     
     
       15. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 9 in which said coupling member includes a finger along one side of said channel, wherein said finger has a tapered free end to ensure that said finger is received around the second tool mounting pin to retain the second tool mounting pin in said channel when said coupling member is rotated to said locked position. 
     
     
       16. A quick coupling device for releasably attaching a tool having a pair of tool mounting pins to a boom of a carrier, said quick coupling device comprising: an assembly adapted to attach said quick coupling device to a boom of a carrier;   a coupling structure including a notch having a first seating wall for receiving therein and seating a first of the tool mounting pins;   a coupling member mounted for rotation about an axis between an open position and a locked position, said coupling member including a channel defining a non-radial path and including a second seating wall, said coupling member being adapted to receive a second of the tool mounting pins in said channel when in said open position, said coupling member being rotatable to said locked position until said second tool mounting pin travels along said path defined by said channel and engages said second seating wall whereby said tool mounting pins are firmly engaged and locked by said first and second seating walls; and   a drive assembly for rotating said coupling member between said open and locked positions, said drive assembly including a cooperating worm and worm gear assembly.   
     
     
       17. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 16 wherein said drive assembly further includes a motor to rotate said worm. 
     
     
       18. A quick coupling device for attaching a tool having a pair of tool mounting pins to a boom of a carrier, said quick coupling device comprising: a base plate having a first side and a second side;   a plurality of mounting flanges fixedly attached to said first side of said base plate, said mounting flanges extending outward from said base plate in a first direction, each said mounting flange including a plurality of bores for pivotally connecting said flanges to a boom of a carrier;   a plurality of coupling flanges fixedly attached to said second side of said base plate, said coupling flanges extending outward from said base plate in a second direction opposite to said first direction, each said coupling flange including a first notch and a second notch, said first and second notches being adapted to receive therein first and second tool mounting pins;   a cam member mounted along said second side of said base plate between said coupling flanges and adjacent said second notches, said cam member including a channel having an open end and a seating wall, said cam member being rotatable about an axis between an open position and a locked position, said channel having a non-radial configuration with respect to said axis,   in said open position of said cam member said open end of said channel is aligned with said second notches for concurrently receiving the second tool mounting pin in said second notches and said channel,   in said locked position of said cam member said open end of said channel is displaced from the second tool mounting pin, the second tool mounting pin is engaged against said seating wall such that the center of the second mounting pin is offset from said axis, and the tool mounting pins are firmly gripped by said seating wall and said first notches, said coupling device having the capacity to effect firm gripping of pairs of tool mounting pins having different spacings therebetween; and   an assembly for rotating said cam member about said axis.   
     
     
       19. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 18 wherein said rotating assembly has the capacity to rotate said cam member to an infinite number of locked positions to accommodate differences in the spacing between tool mounting pins. 
     
     
       20. A quick coupling assembly in accordance with claim 18 further including means for periodically tightening said cam member against the second tool mounting pin received in said channel. 
     
     
       21. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 18 in which said cam member includes a finger along one side of said channel which wraps around the second tool mounting pin in said locked position to close the second tool mounting pin in said second notches. 
     
     
       22. A quick coupling device for attaching a tool having a pair of tool mounting pins to a boom of a carrier, said quick coupling device comprising: a base plate having a first side and a second side;   a plurality of mounting flanges fixedly attached to said first side of said base plate, said mounting flanges extending outward from said base plate in a first direction, each said mounting flange including a plurality of bores for pivotally connecting said flanges to a boom of a carrier;   a plurality of coupling flanges fixedly attached to said second side of said base plate, said coupling flanges extending outward from said base plate in a second direction opposite to said first direction, each said coupling flange including a first notch and a second notch, said first and second notches being adapted to receive therein first and second tool mounting pins;   a cam member mounted along said second side of said base plate between said coupling flanges and adjacent said second notches, said cam member including a channel having an open end and a seating wall, said cam member being rotatable about an axis between an open and a locked position, said open end of said channel being aligned with said second notches for concurrently receiving the second tool mounting pin in said second notches and said channel, said cam member being rotated to said locked position to engage said seating wall against the second mounting pin to firmly grip the tool mounting pins by said seating wall and said first notches; and   an assembly for rotating said cam member about said axis including a worm and a worm gear.   
     
     
       23. A quick coupling device in accordance with claim 22 wherein said rotating assembly further includes a hydraulic motor to rotate said worm. 
     
     
       24. A quick coupling device for attaching a tool having a pair of tool mounting pins to a boom of a carrier, said quick coupling device comprising: a base plate having a first side and a second side;   a plurality of mounting flanges fixedly attached to said first side of said base plate, said mounting flanges extending outward from said base plate in a first direction, each said mounting flange including a plurality of bores for pivotally connecting said flanges to a boom of a carrier;   a plurality of coupling flanges fixedly attached to said second side of said base plate, said coupling flanges extending outward from said base plate in a second direction opposite to said first direction, each said coupling flange including a first notch and a second notch, said first and second notches being adapted to receive therein first and second tool mounting pins;   a cam member mounted along said second side of said base plate between said coupling flanges and adjacent said second notches, said cam member including a channel having an open end and a seating wall, said channel being shaped to have a first slot portion for receiving the second tool mounting pin and a second slot portion for locking the second tool mounting pin in said second notches, said cam member being rotatable about an axis between an open and a locked position, said open end of said channel being aligned with said second notches for concurrently receiving the second tool mounting pin in said second notches and said channel, said cam member being rotated to said locked position to engage said seating wall against the second mounting pin to firmly grip the tool mounting pins by said seating wall and said first notches; and   an assembly for rotating said cam member about said axis.